At the age of 15, Derian Morales made the difficult decision to leave Honduras for a better future in the United States. He dreamed of helping his family financially, but he knew it would not be easy to leave his mom and two sisters and travel over a thousand miles to join his dad in Fayetteville, Tennessee.
To carry out his dream, Morales made the journey to the United States alone. Once he arrived, he was eager to attend school and learn English, so he enrolled at Fayetteville High School and worked for a fencing business making $100 a week and sending half his earnings home to his mom, which is a common practice in Honduras.
“I was by myself with no friends, no way to communicate and very little money,” said Morales. “At one point, I thought about going back to Honduras, but I couldn’t give up. Communication was a huge challenge for me, but I was determined to learn the language. After school, I would write sentences and use an online program to translate the sentences into English. I would practice them over and over until I learned them. I also carried a dictionary and still do today, so I can look up unfamiliar words.”
After graduating high school in 2018, Morales enrolled in the automotive mechanic program at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in Shelbyville, Tennessee. He continued working for the fencing business and sending money home, but he had promised to help his family, and he felt the money he was able to contribute was not enough.
“While fencing, my boss told me about a job opportunity at Fayetteville Public Utilities,” added Morales. “I had dreamed of a job like this but didn’t think it was possible. I interviewed for a job in the shop, and in 2020, I started working at FPU. Eventually, I transferred to the tree trimming department, but my goal was to be a lineman. I was the first person from my city in Honduras to graduate from school and earn a technical diploma from TCAT, and I want to be the first from Honduras to become a lineman in the U.S.”
Morales has only lived in the United States for 8 years, and during that time, he has overcome many challenges. FPU has made a huge difference in his life, and he values the support he has received and the friendships he has made. As an apprentice lineman at FPU, Morales is achieving his dream of becoming an electrical lineman in the U.S.
To become a lineman in Tennessee, the first step is an apprenticeship. After years of training, the apprenticeship leads to the position of journeyman lineman. Apprentices assist journeyman linemen with functions related to the construction, repair and maintenance of electric lines. As apprentices complete training requirements, their work is broadened to include more responsibilities. In most cases, it takes 9 years for an apprentice lineman to move into the role of a journeyman lineman.
“While living in Honduras, I could only imagine what it was like to earn a decent wage and own a home,” remarked Morales. “It is a good feeling to work hard and better yourself. I would not be where I am today without FPU. In linework, every day is a challenge, but we look out for one another. FPU has given me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams and keep moving forward.” “At FPU, Derian has a good future as a lineman,” said FPU CEO/General Manager Britt Dye. “He is a dedicated and dependable worker who is always willing to help not only at FPU but outside of work as well.”
Morales understands what it is like to struggle, and he desires to help others who are going through difficult situations. That heartfelt passion translates to his work as a lineman. He aspires to make his community a better place by keeping the power flowing to the homes and businesses of his friends and neighbors.
When asked what advice he would give to others about following their dreams, Morales responded, “If you want something, work for it. Don’t be afraid to take risks because fear will get you nowhere. Focus on one goal at a time, and once you have accomplished that step, move on to the next.”
Accomplishing goals one step at a time is exactly what Morales is doing. He dreamed of living in the United States, helping his family, learning English, graduating school, owning a home and becoming a lineman. Through hard work and determination, he is well on his way to achieving each of these milestones. As he sets new goals for his future, Morales will, without a doubt, continue to make his dreams a reality.